Elephant population remains static in Arunachal

Itanagar, July 28 (UNI) Despite depreciation of forest cover, the elephant population in Arunachal Pradesh remained static with a total 1025 pachyderms recorded in the state in the last year census.

According to forest officials here, out of the total number of elephants, 896 were recorded in Kameng Elephant Reserve comprising Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary, Khellong forest division, Banderdewa forest division and Itanagar wildlife sanctuary, while 129 pachderms were recorded at Southern Elephant Reserve comprising Deomali forest division, Changlang social forest division, Jairampur, Kamlang wildlife sanctuary and Namsai.

However, records from certain areas were not available with the department, sources informed.

During the 2001 census, a total number of 1606 elephants were recorded in the state, sources added.

Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary, covering an area of 748 sq km, has 38 adult bulls (8 tusker and 30 makhana) with 85 adult cows, 38 sub-adults, 13 sub-adult bulls, 8 sub-adult cows, 10 juvenile and 38 calves, sources informed.

Khellong forest division recorded 33 adult bulls (2 Tusker, 31 makhana), 55 adult cows, 89 sub-adult, 47 sub-adult bulls, 45 sub-adult cows, 38 juvenile and 41 calves, while Banderdewa forest division recorded adult bulls (29), adult cows (69), sub-adult (20), sub-adult bulls (22), sub-adult cows (40), juvenile (26) and calves 22, followed by Itanagar wildlife sanctuary which recorded 11 adult bulls, 20 adult cows, 21 sub-adult, 7 sub-adult bulls, 10 sub-adult cows, 16 juvenile and four calves, sources informed.

In the Southern Elephant Reserve of the state Namsai under Lohit district recorded highest number of pachyderms with 61, followed by Deomali forest division under Tirap district with a total population of 40 elephants, Jairampur (22) and Changlang social forest division with 6, sources added.

UNI UPB SJC VA KN1241